Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 4.0Norwell spent more per resident in 2022 than 92% of similar towns
Norwell’s town government spent $70.5 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $6,310 per resident. Water and other utilities ($1.3 million) are counted separately.
What stands out about how Norwell is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$6,310 per resident in 2022: more than 92% of them
Norwell’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($6,310 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 75 Massachusetts towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that run their own schools: the median was $4,531, and the middle half spent $3,716–$5,260. Norwell spent more than 92% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($1.2 million), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
Massachusetts towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Norwell itself left out).
About $6,310 per resident a year, or $17.29 a day
Schools are part of the town’s budget, so they lead the receipt: 65% of day-to-day spending.
Thank you for being a neighbor
Norwell runs its own schools, so school spending is part of this budget. Comparisons are with Massachusetts towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that run their own schools.
No trend yet
Norwell reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
full-time in March 2025, up from 436 in 2022.
Typical bills top $10,000 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Norwell’s rate.
Can I afford it? →The median bill homeowners report to the Census survey (bills of $10,000+ are reported as “$10,000+”). The effective rate is that bill ÷ the median home value: a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Tax bills are one input to Norwell’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Norwell →
Who’s in charge in Norwell
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Norwell’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The town posts agendas and minutes on townofnorwell.net ↗.
One full-time town employee for every 25 residents
On the payroll in March 2025, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (11,171).
By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2025
The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.
Norwell School District
Norwell’s K–12 school district. The schools are run by Norwell, so this money is part of the budget above.
Of the $20,543 per pupil, $12,919 goes to the classroom (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren’t in the per-pupil figure.
Massachusetts districts overall: 49% local, 43% state, 8% federal.
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
How Norwell voted in 2024
Official results for Norwell’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat55.6%3,924 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican41.5%2,930 votesOthers: 2.8% (200 votes).
Most votes in Norwell: Kamala D Harris
Plymouth County: Harris 53.3%, Trump 44.5% · Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%
of Norwell’s 8,019 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Massachusetts: 67%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Most votes in Norwell: John Deaton
Plymouth County: Deaton 50.0%, Warren 49.9% · Massachusetts: Warren 59.8%, Deaton 40.0%
Most votes in the district: Bill Keating
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Norwell, its county and the state
| Harris | Trump | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norwell | 55.6% | 41.5% | 2.8% | 7,054 |
| Plymouth County | 53.3% | 44.5% | 2.2% | 300,129 |
| Massachusetts | 61.2% | 36.0% | 2.8% | 3,473,668 |
Official 2024 general election returns, as certified (MIT Election Data + Science Lab). Percentages are of votes for candidates; blank and spoiled ballots aren’t counted. Candidates are listed by votes, and party colors are neutral on purpose.
Portraits: Kamala D Harris: official vice-presidential portrait, Lawrence Jackson, The White House, 2021; Donald J Trump: official portrait, Shealah Craighead, The White House, 2017. All are U.S. government works in the public domain. A race shows photos only when every candidate has an official portrait; otherwise every candidate in it gets initials.
From town hall to Washington
Every level of government that speaks for Norwell.
- 1Your townTown governmentOfficials: townofnorwell.net ↗
- 2Massachusetts HouseNorwell is split between 2 districts
- 3Massachusetts SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Massachusetts
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
How Norwell compares with the towns next door
Norwell spent $6,310 per resident in 2022; the 6 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $4,352 to $5,426. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
Day-to-day spending in 2022, the last year every government was counted, for governments that reported it; hospital and utilities left out. Tax bill: the typical homeowner’s bill (Census ACS, 2020–24).
Reach Norwell’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Norwell’s government
How much does Norwell spend per resident?
About $6,310 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $6,310 was more than 92% of 75 Massachusetts towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that run their own schools.
Who runs Norwell’s government?
See townofnorwell.net for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Norwell yet.
How did Norwell vote in 2024?
For president, Kamala D Harris 55.6%, Donald J Trump 41.5% (7,054 votes, official results). Plymouth County: Harris 53.3%, Trump 44.5%. Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%.
How many people work for Norwell?
443 full-time and 78 part-time employees in March 2025, with a March payroll of $3.3M (about $39.5M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents Norwell in the state legislature?
Norwell is split among 2 State House districts, so your address decides. The Massachusetts Legislature’s lookup finds yours. Its State Senate district is District First Plymouth and Norfolk (Patrick O'Connor). Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Norwell’s government
Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.
Budget and staff: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Governments (2022, every government) and Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023–24, a sample) and the Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll; day-to-day spending is current operations, with hospitals, utilities and airports apart. School district: Census school finance survey, 2023–24. Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 2020–24. Elections: official 2024 returns via the MIT Election Data + Science Lab; turnout uses Census citizen voting-age population (CVAP, 2020–24). Officials: Open States, names shown only with a current term (checked October 9, 2026). Districts: Census Bureau (119th Congress, 2024 state districts); legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →